Tottenham: Liverpool declare position on Götze; Argentine striker targeted; winger to leave?

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Tottenham have received a massive boost in the race to sign World Cup winning Germany winger Mario Götze, after Liverpool officially pulled out of the race to win his signature. Götze had been linked with a move to Anfield to reunite with his former boss Klopp for most of the summer, but with the Reds opting to secure a deal for Sadio Mane, and Tottenham upping their interest, Spurs are now in pole position to secure the signing should the Bayern Munich player decide on a move to England.

The deal is still not certain though, with Goetze’s ex-club Borussia Dortmund intent on taking him back to the Signal Iduna Park to work with Thomas Tuchel. Having lost Henrikh Mkhitaryn to Manchester United, Dortmund are in much more need of attacking midfield talent, with the raw Emre Mor from Nordsjaellend being the only current replacement for United’s new Armenian talent.

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A bid of £20 million is thought to be the asking price, so neither club will have any trouble affording the deal. Spurs will hope that Pochettino’s energetic system and a first Champions League campaign since 2010/11 will be enough to convince the German that the time is right for a crack at the Premier League. Götze would get game time at Spurs; perhaps even becoming one of the first names on the team sheet, something that was sorely absent during his period at Bayern, and could also prove himself in a new league with a club who will have eyes on a title challenge. All in all, it would be a good move for the German.

Another big name linked with a move to White Hart Lane is Inter Milan forward Mario Icardi, who has been labelled as ‘available’ by his wife and agent. The Argentine striker, 23, is captain of the Italian club, but is reportedly up for sale for any club willing to pay €60 million (around £51 million).

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The Express has reported that West Ham have already had bid of £32 million turned down for Icardi, and even this seems like too much to pay for a player like the Argentine. Although he has a scoring record of around a goal in every two games in Serie A for Inter, he is an occasionally controversial forward who has been in trouble for his behaviour and relationship with fans and other players.

He has plenty of tactical intelligence, but there are suspicions he may not fit perfectly into the team ethic Pochettino has built at Spurs. It would be a surprise for Tottenham to take the risk on such a precocious talent as Icardi.

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In news also concerning Inter Milan, Erik Lamela may be a target for Roberto Mancini’s club, according to Italian news source Gazzetta World. Mancini is reportedly more interested in signing Antonio Candreva or Manolo Gabbiadini, but has identified 24-year-old Lamela as a back-up option.

It would be a shame for Lamela to leave the club, as he finally began to justify his £30 million price tag in his third season at the club. Finally adding some hard work to his undoubted technical ability, the Argentine became an important part in Pochettino’s title chasing side. He may find minutes hard to come by if Mario Götze arrives, but he is certainly an important part of the Tottenham squad.

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